"Mmmmfff!" Cold, dirty, bleeding. Crying, shaking, moaning. She was dropped carelessly in an alley, in front of a man's feet. The people who drug her there laughed at her, mocked her. One kicked her. The man in front of her growled and barked at them to leave. She heard scuffling, then silence. The only sound heard was both her and the man's breathing.

She felt herself being lifted up. She couldn't manage to care anymore. She had a feeling death wasn't far off in her future. The man took off her blindfold slowly, peering at the girl his henchmen kidnapped. She stared back, wide eyed and frightened. Before he started to speak, he pulled the duct tape off her mouth.

"Well well well. Seems they picked a rather pretty girl to bring to me." He crouched to her level. "What's your name?" "E.... Erica!" she choked out. "Aw, now don't be scared... Erica," he took her face in his hands, "You're pretty, not gonna hurt you..." She stared at his face, the scars and the makeup. "What, scared of clowns? Hehehe!"

"Why you shaking darlin'? How 'bout a kiss? Whatta you say?" Before Erica could speak, his lips touched hers. Moved against her unmoving ones. She sniffled, breath catching in her throat. Then slowly kissed back. This took him by surprise. He halted, and moved away. Smiled slyly when he saw her lips and cheeks smeared with his makeup. "Oh, you do look marvelous with my makeup on! Only you know what?" he paused, "It looks better on me." He laughed loudly, disturbing a few rats in the alley.

"The... the Joker?" Erica sputtered out. She was scared, but at the same time, in a state of awe. Why in the world had he kissed her? Why had she kissed back? Most importantly, why was she attracted to him?